Kapil Dev has stepped forward in defence of young pacer Anshul Kamboj following a challenging Test debut at Old Trafford in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. The 24-year-old Haryana seamer, who also represents Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, endured a brutal initiation into international cricket, struggling to make an impact and leaking runs at an alarming rate.

Questions were soon raised about his fitness and a noticeable drop in pace during his spells. However, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain has urged patience, insisting it’s unfair to judge a player solely based on his debut.

“What do you expect from a debutant? That he takes 10 wickets straightaway? You have to look at the potential. Everyone’s nervous when they’re playing their first game. The performance may not be ideal, but I see ability in him. That’s more important than immediate results,” Kapil Dev said while addressing the media.

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Kamboj, with just 25 first-class matches under his belt, was a late addition to the Test squad, coming in as an injury replacement for Akash Deep. Despite not being part of the original touring party, the team management showed faith by handing him the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

But the England top-order, playing in true Bazball fashion, quickly exposed his inexperience. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley attacked from the outset, and Kamboj’s first spell went for plenty. Though he managed to dismiss Duckett for 94, he ended the innings with figures of 1 for 89 in 18 overs at an economy of 4.90.

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As India conceded a massive 669, skipper Shubman Gill turned to spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for stability, with Kamboj barely used thereafter. With the final Test at The Oval looming, all eyes are now on whether the selectors will persist with the promising but raw pacer.